Police said a vehicle occupied by Edwards and Thomas veered off the road and struck a tractor-trailer parked in the right shoulder of the northbound highway near Exit 4 about 5:20 a.m. Sunday. The city residents died of their injuries.

The impact of the crash launched the trailer forward, causing minor injuries to its operator, who was standing in front of the engine, police said.

The tractor-trailer operator refused medical attention, according to police.